Ficedula parva - Sexing autumn

SEXING:

Seldom offers any problem – basic rule is that adults are readily sexed, and young birds can not be sexed. However a few birds are more problematic. Always age the bird first.

1cy: The great majority can not be sexed, but a small fraction of 1cy (in our sample 1,6 % [4 out of all 242 1cy birds]) show a slight red-orange tinge on the chin, throat or upper chest, proving them as males.

2cy+: Easily sexed due to the fact that males retain most (or at least parts) of their orange chin and throat during autumn/winter, while females are pale buff or off-white. Very exceptionally, females are said to show some orange-red on chin (see Svensson [1992]), but should reasonably still be reckognized as females on the lack of cold grey areas in e.g. sides of neck, throat and breast.

1cy September, sex unkown. During autumn all 1cy birds are left unsexed, except for a minor part of the males showing a slight orange tinge on the chin, throat or upper breast. [SN9076]

1cy September, sex unknown, showing some variation. [SV0013]

2cy+ male August. Adult males retain most (or at least parts of) of their orange chin and throat during autumn and winter. [SS6980]

2cy+ female September. Readily reckognized as female once aged correctly. [SS6987]

2cy+ September. Ambiguous bird, and the true sex is not known. Perhaps most likely an example of the exceptionally rare adult females showing orange to chin and throat? Being adult, a male would be expected to show at least some cold grey parts of side of neck. [SS6984]

2cy+ September. Close up on the same individual. [SS6984

Ficedula parva - sexing autumn